More efficient and sustainable food production
Japfa launches its AI and Quantum Computing Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Singapore, and signs collaboration agreements with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and AngelQ. Supported by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), these initiatives apply AI and quantum computing to help Japfa gain deeper insights across its livestock operations.
Headquartered in Singapore, Japfa is one of Asia’s leading industrialised agri-food companies, producing essential proteins for millions of consumers across the region. The new CoE builds on Japfa’s ongoing digitalisation and long-term focus on improving efficiency across its vertically integrated operations – from feed to farm to food. This will ultimately contribute to advancing the livestock industry and strengthen the regional food system.
Through a dedicated digital innovation team and strong partnerships within Singapore’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, the CoE aims to gain deeper insights and address real-world operational challenges in livestock farming and food production. In doing so, the CoE builds on local talent and tests new technologies such as AI, quantum computing and data science that can enhance productivity, animal health and sustainability.
Under the collaborations signed today, Japfa and its partners will work together on three fronts:
- With SIT, to advance applied AI research that supports food processing quality inspections using computer vision;
- With NYP, to develop sensor and AI prototyping solutions, as well as digital talent through training programmes and professional development;
- With AngelQ, to explore how quantum computing can be applied to optimise operations, including benchmarking against Japfa’s current AI models.
These partnerships build on Japfa’s growing use of AI and data-driven systems across its regional operations. Pilot projects in swine operations in Vietnam and in poultry operations in Indonesia are already testing how these technologies can enhance farm operation performance – for example by leveraging AI to enable real-time monitoring of farm operations.
“Technology and data are redefining how we produce food. For us, this is much more than running our operations more efficiently. With the support of Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Economic Development Board, and through the collaborations that we are announcing today, we are bringing together applied research, technology and industry expertise to gain further insights to turn ideas into practical solutions that deliver real operational impact” Tan Yong Nang, Chief Executive Officer, Japfa.
“Japfa is a pioneer among Singapore-based agri-food companies in applying quantum computing to its operations and will leverage our strong deep tech ecosystem to drive more efficient and sustainable food production in Asia. Our partnership is part of Singapore’s continued efforts with leading agri-food traders to anchor their innovation capabilities here as part of our Trade 2030 strategy” Lee Pak Sing, Assistant Managing Director for Trade and Connectivity, Enterprise Singapore
“Japfa’s Singapore COE will add new digital and AI capabilities that drive operational efficiency across the agri-food industry in Asia. We welcome more like-minded companies to tap on Singapore’s vibrant research ecosystem and accelerate collaborations between industry, academia, and government, to bring impactful innovations to the world” Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President, EDB.
As one of the largest staple protein producers in Asia, contributing about 20% of the protein in its key markets through its integrated value chain, Japfa places a strong emphasis on technologies and innovation that drive operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. This initiative aligns with Singapore’s national priorities to strengthen food security and deepen technological capabilities across key industries.
